March 3rd, 2023:

I had just left a hinge date that WAS NOT GABBY (GASP) and gone to celebrate a friend’s birthday at stampede. I was just about to leave after a long night of dancing, when my friend Andrew suggested to me, “go dance with that cute girl over there!” I locked eyes with Gabby for the first time and asked her to dance. She looked me up and down, smiled, and said yes. Since that night, I have not been dancing once without Gabby being there. The song, “Last Night Lonely” by Jon Pardi really took on meaning in my life for the first and last time.

March 4th, 2023:

The following night, I invited Gabby out for one more night of dancing. For the first time in my life, I only danced with one girl the whole night. I had never felt that way with a girl before and had the most amazing time singing and dancing with her. I felt moved at the end of the night to man up and ask this amazing woman out on a date.

March 6th, 2023:

I was very nervous for our first date at Dish Society. I remember picking up Gabby and then laughing with her at her matched awkwardness. After dinner we went to a coffee shop called Roast and Brew for some tea. Gabby made a brave move here; she reached out and grabbed my hand to hold it.

March 18th, 2023:

Up until this point Gabby and I had had countless late-night talks and more time together. I had told Gabby that I only kissed a girl if I made my relationship status with her official. Then one night dancing with friends, I walked her back to her car and said goodbye. She looked up at me with a sense of sadness in her eyes and longing. I knew I had a choice to make, and I kissed her. In that moment, I knew the ramifications of what my next step would have to be as a man. To ask Gabby to be my girlfriend.

March 19th, 2023:

I came over the next day thinking I would ask her later in the day to be my girlfriend but was just waiting for the right moment… I arrived at her house to watch a movie together and wasn’t sure if I should kiss her or hug her or what. So I stupidly leaned in for a kiss. Gabby quickly stopped me and said (with the perfect air of confidence), “NOPE, You haven’t asked me to be your girlfriend yet”. Having been called out I laughed and realized that this was a woman who would challenge me and continue to push me. I then mustered up the courage and asked her to be my girlfriend. We then completed this amazing day by watching one of my favorite movies, “The Batman”.

*Many dates and dances later…*

May 27th, 2023:

Gabby and I had gone to Katelin and Andrew Dias’ wedding. That day at the wedding Mass, the homily had been about the man taking the step to man up and admit his love for the woman. I felt that it was time, I needed to tell Gabby that I loved her. But I wanted to wait until the following day to make sure that it was timed just perfectly. I held it in the whole day. After the wedding, we all decided to go with our friends to an after party at my favorite Irish pub (O’Bannon’s!!). As we were getting ready to go, I slipped up! I said I love you. Even though it was not planned as I thought it would be, God picked the time. I stood my ground and told the love of my life how much I loved her.

*MANY more weddings later*

November 18th, 2023:

I had prepared myself for this day. I had the ring and I had the plan. That whole morning I kept gagging from nervousness. I spent that morning writing and rewriting what I wanted to say to her. I knew it needed to be perfect. Then we arrived at St. John Vianney Adoration chapel. The excuse was that my family wanted to meet there before a birthday lunch for my dad. I brought my future bride to the adoration chapel and before God, got down on one knee and asked her to be my wife. I have never been more certain of something in my life. I can’t wait for what the rest of our lives have in store for us.

Q + A

Where did we first meet?

Where was the first date?

Who said I love you first?

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